Venus Williams Takes Center Stage At Silicon Valley Classic

SAN JOSE, CA — It doesn’t matter that it has been 18 years since Venus Williams won the Silicon Valley Classic. Confidence is one thing that defines a Williams sister.

When seven-time Grand Slam champion takes to the court Tuesday night against Bethanie Mattek-Sands she will be hoping to finish better than a year ago when she was ousted in the quarterfinals this year at the hands of Maria Sakkari.

While the tournament has been played at different locales and had various names, today Mubadala is the title sponsor and San Jose State University the venue for the July 29-Aug. 4 event.

It was 1994 when the tournament was in Oakland that Williams made her professional debut. At 14 she was a force. She still is today at age 39.

Williams readily admitted hard courts is where she prefers to play. This tournament is one of several leading up to the U.S. Open in New York from Aug. 26-Sept. 3.

“I’ve found myself missing California recently,” Williams said July 29. “I’m not sure if it’s the heat of Florida. I hope to spend more time here in the fall.” She grew up in Southern California, but now calls Florida home.

Williams has often had numerous ventures off court. The latest endeavor is Williams own YouTube channel.

“It’s always nice to get to tell the story you want to tell,” Williams said. The segments aren’t necessarily tennis focused. It’s more about life, what she is thinking and wanting to share with others.

Asked about being an aunt, she pointed out that the birth of sister Serena’s daughter made her an aunt for the fourth time. Williams said being aunt is the easy part compared to the work of mom.

Evening sessions of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic begin at 7pm. A complete schedule is listed.

See also

• Venus Williams Heads To Silicon Valley Classic At San Jose State